The Orlando Magic are “rumored” to be buyers as the NBA’s trade deadline approaches on March 15. The team is exploring options and consulting their superstar, Dwight Howard, to see who he would like to play alongside.

Howard has already expressed his interest in the alienated swingman from Milwaukee, Stephen Jackson. He also favors former MVP, Steve Nash and Golden State’s Monta Ellis.

Now these are his recommendations. There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell Orlando gets all three of those guys and getting even one will test the creativity of GM, Otis Smith.

[1]

The salaries of Jackson & Turkgolu work for a trade but is an unlikely scenario

A glimmer of hope could be had if the Bucks released Stephen Jackson from the purgatory of Scott Skiles and bought him out. Thus allowing Orlando to use the mini mid level or veteran’s minimum to sign Jackson. Captain Jack is ready to move on as evidenced with his talk with Hoopsworld[2] last month:

“Dwight has said a couple of times that he wants me to be with him. When you get a compliment like that from a big man like Dwight, it means a lot. Tim Duncan always steps up for me and says I’m the ultimate teammate too. When I have guys like that speaking up for me, I must have been doing something right throughout my whole career. I know my situation is going to get better eventually and I’m just going to keep being professional and keep my mouth closed.”

The odds of Jackson receiving a buy out are better than Orlando trading for him. Although a Hedo Turkgolu for Jackson trade would work straight up can you imagine Turkgolu playing for Skiles? That relationship would be chilly at best.

[3]

Nash and Howard on the pick & roll could be a devastating combo

The pursuit of Nash makes some sense when you take into consideration that Nash has an expiring contract. So if acquired the Magic would not be on the books with Nash if the expierement failed. The question that will be asked in every scenario is just what do the Magic have to offer outside of Dwight?

The Suns might be interested in Ryan Anderson (other salaries and or a 3rd team would need to be included) but having Anderson without Nash to pass him the ball seems useless. The Suns have already had stints with Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkgolu and even Earl Clark so they are not likely to be used to acquire Nash.

A Nash to Jameer Nelson downgrade would have me begging for a refund as a season ticket holder. Quite frankly getting Nash is not a likely scenario for Orlando.

The dream scenario for Orlando would be the acquisition of Monta Ellis from Golden State. Ellis is still young (26) and would have the ability to grow alongside Howard as the two enter their primes. The knock on him is that although he is great scorer he is a volume shooter who isn’t the type of guy you build around. That problem would certainly be solved as Howard would be the building block leaving Ellis to score and facilitate the Magic offense.

Again Orlando lacks the assets in terms of talent to make a deal with Golden State worth their time. As speculations grows as to who the third or fourth team would be to help facilitate a move and I still ask who would want anybody on the Magic roster besides Dwight?

[4]

Ellis would be a great addition to the Magic roster

Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick probably have the most cap friendly contracts at reasonable value but still they are not enough to bring back the talent of Ellis.

These rumors are just the beginning and time is certainly of the essence. The drama surrounding Howard should soon be coming to an end one way or another. If Orlando is unable to make a deal to Howard’s particular liking, look for them to do a quick about face and explore the earlier deals they had to trade Howard out of Orlando.